Graduate School Application Procedure
Application Form： docx
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
The program is meant firstly for Christian persons in the professional / vocational Christian ministry. However, mature Christian leaders not in the “full-time” ministry but meeting qualifications set for them may still apply. All applications will be examined on a case by case basis. The Faculty makes the final decision on admissions. The following provides the normal admission qualifications.
1. Age and Experience:
a) For “professional” pastors, missionaries and ministers in Christian organizations and institutions. Normally, the applicant is 30 years of age and above with 6 years in “full-time” Christian vocation / ministry(with 3 years in “full-time” after the Master of Divinity (M. Div.) degree). For full-time pastors and Christian workers who obtained their M. Div. degree after 6 years or more in their vocation may enter into the program without the 3 years break. Mature Christian workers in significant ministerial position with only a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Theology or Bible, or Master of Christian Studies (M. C. S.), or equivalent, and who are 40 years and above may be accepted on the basis that they complete additional seminars.
b) For mature Christian leaders not in the “full-time” Christian vocation. Normally, the applicant is 40 years and above and must have 10 years or more and a proven record of being involved in a variety of “ministerial” duties. He / she must have served 5 years in leadership position after obtaining the M. Div. degree.
c) Requirements for Master of Theology (Th. M.) may vary.
2. Education:
Applicants must possess a recognized M. Div. degree with a minimal grade average 3.0 (or ‘B’) on a scale of 4.0 (or its equivalent). Applicants with only an M.A., M. C. S. or equivalent may be considered if they meet the mature Christian leader criteria and are willing to complete additional requirements.
3. Entrance Exam: Satisfactorily completed an entrance exam.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
1. All documents should be submitted to the Registrar, by post or by email (registraroffice.mbts@gmail.com). Application will not be processed if the any of the application documents is incomplete.
a) Completed Application Form.
b) All academic records (certificates and transcripts) beginning from university.
c) Approval in writing from the church / organization indicating support for the applicant’s studies, financial assistance (if any), and clearance of sufficient time to undertake the studies.
d) An essay of minimum ten pages typewritten and double-spaced, describing the student’s (a) view of Christian ministry, (b) goals for the program and (c) proposed area of specialization.
e) Pay application fee (non-refundable) of RM100 (Malaysia or developing countries) or USD100 (developed countries). Do not send cash. Payment can be made with cheque or money order (to “Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary”). Alternatively, you may bank-in the amount. Please provide a record of transaction. Oversea applicant may contact us on how to submit the application fee.
2. Processing an application may take up to 6 months, depending on the responses from referees and rate of obtaining all necessary documents. Hence, the applicant must complete the entrance exam during this period.
3. Obtain “Guide to Preparation for Entrance Exam” and arrange a date for the exam with Academic Office. The exam must be taken within 4 months from the date the Academic Office receives the Application Form.
4. While waiting for confirmation of admission into the program, applicant may register for a maximum of 2 courses within the one year of submission of Application Form. If this happens, applicant needs to pay a nonrefundable annual student fee of RM200. The validity of this fee starts on the day the applicant registers a course.
5. Complete the entrance exam. An applicant may be asked to attend an interview with representatives from the Faculty as part of the admission process.
6. If the result is found satisfactory, an official letter of admission will be given to the applicant.